Mosquitoes choose their prey — you, perhaps — based on a bunch of factors. But there’s good news: Some things that might make you attractive to them can actually be changed. Scientific research has found evidence supporting several factors that encourage mosquitoes to seek you out.
9 PHOTOSPlants that keep mosquitoes awaySee GalleryPlants that keep mosquitoes away
Lemon Balm
Getty
Catnip
Getty
Peppermint
Getty
Basil
Getty
Sage and Rosemary
Getty
Lavender
Getty
Marigold
Getty
Scented Geranium
Getty
Citronella
Getty
See Gallery
These studies often involve different kinds of mosquitoes, however, so the things that attract them to you may vary depending on which species are nearby. And many of these studies are small, so keep in mind that these are preliminary hypotheses, not ironclad conclusions.
Mosquitoes are known to transmit deadly diseases like Zika, malaria, yellow fever, dengue, Chikungunya, and West Nile virus. So even though the things that attract the bugs aren’t fully understood, it’s wise to try to reduce your allure as much as you can. Here are some things that could make you irresistible to the pests:
Mike Nudelman/Business Insider
Related: Foods to avoid over summer10 PHOTOS9 Foods That Make You Tastier to Mosquitoes See Gallery9 Foods That Make You Tastier to Mosquitoes
Learn which 9 foods make you more appetizing to mosquitos!
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Beer
What’s a cookout without a cold one (or two)? There’s always a cooler full to the brim with ice-cold beers at backyard barbeques. A few Heinekens can give you a buzz, but even a single beer can make you a target for mosquitos. Scientists are not exactly sure why mosquitos go for beer drinkers, but they don’t think it has anything to do with the increase in ethanol in the bloodstream or the heightened body temperature caused by beer consumption. Like us humans, mosquitos may just like the taste of a good brew.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Potassium-rich foods
Bloodsucking mosquitos are extremely attracted to lactic acid. Too bad lactic acid is constantly naturally released by our bodies, making us prime snacks. Eating potassium-rich foods, however, increases the amount of lactic acid you give off through your skin. Bananas, potatoes, prunes, raisins, lima beans, avocados, and spinach are full of potassium, so snacking on these makes you even tastier to the invasive insects. Well, there goes guacamole!
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Salty Snacks
Wiping salty potato chip crumbs on bright beach towels or on denim cutoffs while enjoying the sun is a typical summertime occurrence. Little did you know, eating a high-sodium diet also increases the amount of lactic acid you produce, and more lactic acid means more mosquito bites. Filling up on salty snacks like crispy chips, hot curly fries, roasted peanuts, or even that bacon on your burger, will make you that much more delicious to mosquitos.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Sweets
Often picnic tables are piled high with tart cherry pies, melty ice cream cakes and sugary candies to celebrate summer. As much as we love these tasty desserts and sweet things, they have a saccharine aroma that is very attractive to most animals, mosquitos included. Not only will the sweets attract sweet–toothed friends and family, they will also act as magnets for bugs and mosquitos.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Alcohol
A refreshing cocktail or mixed drink will definitely cool you down at an outdoor gathering, but scientists think those who drink alcohol are more likely to attract mosquitos. Not only are they sweet-smelling beverages, the alcohol increases your body temperature, which makes you a target for the little blood-suckers because they are drawn to people with warmer blood. A frozen daiquiri or white sangria sounds super good — until a pesky mosquito bites you.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is not only a health hazard, but having a higher level of cholesterol in your blood increases your appeal to mosquitos. It is always important to lower your bad cholesterol if it is too high and recommended by your doctor. Eating more fruits and veggies, and opting for lean meats can help to lower cholesterol levels. Just think of it as killing two birds with one stone.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Limburger Cheese
Chomping on Limburger cheese will transform you into a gigantic neon “Eat Me” sign for mosquitos. This variety of cheese is made with the same bacteria that cause feet to stink. This is a super bonus for mosquitos because they love smelly feet. Well that stinks!
Image Credit: Flickr/Jason Rossiter
Pickled Vegetables
Picture a perfectly charred hot dog crowned with a heavy dose of tangy sauerkraut, tasty ketchup, and sweet pickle relish. But that sauerkraut and pickle relish can be your downfall. Pickled veggies contain lactic acid, therefore they attract those dreaded mosquitos. Kimchi is another condiment that makes human blood a little sweeter to mosquitos. Maybe a bare hot dog doesn’t taste as bad as itchy bites feel.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Dairy Products
So many delectable summer favorites, like sweet strawberry ice cream, coconut froyo, delicious Redi-Whip, and layered parfaits, are dairy-based. Unfortunately, these desserts and other dairy goods cause the body to produce lactic acid, which reels in the mosquitos. Guess that means we’ll have eat our ice cream inside to avoid those biting bugs.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
See Gallery
NOW WATCH: Mosquitoes are the most dangerous creatures on Earth — should we kill them all?
See Also:
- The world’s deadliest animal isn’t a shark or even a human
- Here’s the difference between ice cream and other frozen desserts
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are a scam if you don’t consider one thing
SEE ALSO: An inside look at the labs where doctors intentionally infect people with malaria
Source: Read Full Article